SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – Four ensembles of Evangel University students will come together for the first time to perform a joint choral concert on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in the Barnett Recital Hall.
The concert is free and open to the public. The Barnett Recital Hall is located south of the Robert H. Spence Chapel, facing Glenstone Ave.
The Evangel University Chorale, a 45 member select choir that focuses on sacred classical choral literature, and the new for 2015 Women’s Chamber Ensemble will be under the direction of Tom Matrone, chair of the Department of Music.
The Evangel University Chorus, a group that performs choral literature from all eras including contemporary formats, and the new for 2015 Men’s Vocal Ensemble will be under the direction of Dr. Kevin Hawkins, associate professor of music education.
“The EU Chorale, EU Chorus and the newly formed Women’s Chamber Ensemble and Men’s Vocal Ensemble are committed to providing the audience a diverse repertoire of choral music that is driven by compositional integrity,” said Matrone.
The concert will feature music by Craig Hella Johnson, Stephan Paulus, Jake Runestad, Erik Esenvalds, Pepper Choplin, Josephine Poelintz and William Byrd.
Several songs will also feature instrumental accompaniment, according to Matrone.
“The uniqueness of the evening is in the diversity and collaboration of the student body,” said Matrone. “The students in the four groups represent not only the EU Music Department, but the other academic departments within the University as well.”
Department of Music
The Evangel University Department of Music offers a variety of degree programs in music, including music performance, music education, music business, recording technology and worship leadership.
Accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM) since 1970, the department offers opportunities for students to interact with distinguished performers, composers and scholars, and to attend concerts by renowned music artists. Members of Evangel’s music faculty contribute to the vibrant artistic life of the EU campus, the Springfield community and the church body.
For more information, visit https://www.evangel.edu/departments/music/about-the-department/
CONTRIBUTING WRITER: Katie Haney